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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


ffi\y 


[^ 


1.0 


I.I 


■  50     '"^ 


2.5 
2.2 

2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

J4 

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6"     — 

► 

Photographic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STRHT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiquas 


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n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/cu  pelliculde 


I     1    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
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mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires: 


The 
to  th 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
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^ont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


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t—— usages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
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□    Pages  detached/ 
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r~^  Showthrough/ 
LJLJ    Transparence 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


The 
post 
of  t» 
filmi 


Orig 
begi 
the  I 
sion 
othe 
first 
sion 
or  ill 


D 


Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comp^end  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


The 
shal 
TINI 

Wh;l 

Map 
diffi 
entii 
tegi 
righ 
reqi 
met 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  part>llement 
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obtenir  iA  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


1 1 1 J 1 1     ■■     L  .  I  I  l|i     ii'  ■  '  ■  '  I  I  I  I  I 


12X 


10X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


ils 

lu 

iifier 

ne 

age 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

IMetropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadian  History  Department 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
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the  last  pag&  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  jn  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
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or  illustrated  impression. 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rositA  de: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadian  History  Department 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
pSus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  filmA.  et  en 
conformity  ^vcc  les  conditions  du  contrat  cio 
filmaga. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couvertura  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  film6s  en  commen9ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  h 
dernidre  page  qui  comports  una  empreinte 
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premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terininant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  eQch  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  •-»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "ENO"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
aernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tabiaaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
fiim6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  differents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  film6  A  partir 
da  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  r^ombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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Missioiiaries 


PtTBIIfHED  BY  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  SUNBAT 

AND  ADULT  SCHOOL  SOriETT  OF 

PHILADELPHIA. 


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ADVERTISEMENT, 

The  following  narrative,  written  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Latrobe,  of  the  Moravian  Church 
in  London,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  J,  of  C.  a  clergy- 
man of  the  Church  of  England,  contains  a 
renpiarkable  instance  of  the  merciful  preser- 
vation of  the  lives  of  two  missionaries  on  the 
coast  of  Labrador.  From  one  of  them,  Mr. 
L.  had  received  an  animated  verbal  report, 
and  had  the  journal  of  the  other  before  him 
lyhile  he  recorded  the  interesting  event. 


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THE 


LABRADOR  MISSIONARIES. 


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The  following  is  one  instance^, 
among  many  in  the  history  of  the  Mis- 
sions of  the  United  Brethren,  common- 
ly  called  Moravians,  of  that  gracious 
interposition  of  the  Lord,  in  behalf  of 
his  servants,  by  which,  in  all  the  nu- 
merous perils  to  which  their  calling 
exposes  them,  they  are  supported  and 
encouraged. 

Brother  Samuel  Liebisch  (now  a 
member  of  the  Elders^  Conference  of 
the  Unity)  bdng  at  that  time  entrust- 
ed  with  the  general  care  of  the  Bre- 
threns'  Missions  on  the  coast  of  Lab- 
rador,  the  duties  of  lis  office  required 
a  f  isit  to  Okkak«  the  moit  northern  of 


*- 


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8 

m\r  settlements,  and  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  English  miles  distant  from 
Kain,  the  place  where  he  resided. 
Brother  William  Turner  being  ap- 
pointed to  accompany  him,  they  left 
Nain  on  March  the  11th,  1782,  early 
in  the  mornir  g,  with  very  clear  weath- 
er, the  stars  shining  with  uncommon 
lustre.  The  sledge  was  driven  by 
the  baptised  Esquimaux  Mark,  and 
another  sledge  with  Esquimaux  join- 
ed  company.* 

*  An  Esquimaux  sledge  is  drawn  by  a  spe- 
cies of  dogs  not  unlike  a  wolf  in  shape.  Like 
them,  they  never  bark,  but  howl  disagreeably. 
They  are  kept  by  the  Esquimaux  in  greater 
or  larger  packs  or  teams,  in  proportion  to  the 
affluence  of  the  master.  They  quietly  sub- 
mit to  be  harnessed  for  their  work^  and  are 
treated  with  little  mercy  by  the  heathen  Es- 
quimaux, who  make  them  do  hard  duty  for 
the  small  quantity  of  food  they  allow  them. 


..►• 


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9 

To  return   to  our  travellers: the 

two  sledges  contained  five  men,  one 
woman,  and  a  child.  All  were  in  good 
spirits,  and  appearances  being  much 
in  their  favour,  they  hoped  to  reach 
Okkak  ia  safety  in  tvj^o  or  three  days. ' 
The  tra.ck  over  the  frozen  sea  was  in 
the  best  possible  c  and  they  went 

with  ease  at  the  .six  or  seven 

miles  an  hour.  Afte*  .    ;y  had  passed ' 
the  islands  in  thie  bay  of  Nain,  theyi"^ 

kept  at  a  considerable  distance  fr>m  the 

•i 

I 
) 

This  consists  chiefly  in  offal,  old  skins,  en- 
trails, such  parts  of  whale-flesh  as  are  unfit  1 
for  other  use,  rotten  whale-fins,  &c.  and  if  j 
they  are  not  provided  with  this  kind  of  dogs' 
meat,  they  leave  them  to.  |j^*and  seek  dead  | 
fish  or  muscles  u|idn  the  beaci^,.. When  pinch-  I 
ed  with  hunger,  they  will  swallow  almost  any 
thing,  andpn  a  journey  it  is  necessary  to  se- 
cure  the  harness  within  the  snovv-house  over- 
ssgut,  icasi  b^  devouring  it,  tbej  should  rcn-  i 

»  (  ! 


10 

coast,  both  to  gain  the  smoothest  part  of 
the  Ice,  and  to  weather  the  high  rocky 
promontory  of  Kiglapeii.  About  eight 
o'clock  they  met  a  sledge  with  Esqui- 

der  it  impossible  to  proceed  in  the  morning. 
When  the  trairiellcrs  arrive  at  their  night- 
quarters,  and  the  dogs  are  unharnessed,  they 
are  left  to  burrow  in  the  snow,  where  they 
please,  and  in  the  morning  are  sure  to  come  at 
Itbeir  drivers'  call,  when  they  receive  some 
food.  Their  strength  and  speed,  even  with  an 
hungry  stofiiach,  is  astonishing.  In  fastening 
them  to  the  sledge,  care  is  taken  not  to  let  thenar 
go  abreast.  They  are  tied  by  separate  thongs, 
of  unequal  lengths,  to  an  horizontal  bar  on 
the  forepart  of  the  sledge  ^  an  old  knowing 
ottlieads  tfie  way  running  ten  or  twenty 
paces  a-head,  duseot^d  \^  the  driver's  whip, 
which  is  of  great fength  and  can  only  be  well 
managed  by  an  Esquimaux.  The  other  dogs 
follow  like  a  flock  of  sheep/  Ume  of  them 
receives  a  Ia«h,  he  generally  bites  his  neigh- 
muTy  and  toe  bite  goes  round/ 


T 


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After 


maux  turning  ia  from  the  s 
the  usual  salutations,  the  Esquimaux 
alighting,  held  some  conversation,  as 
is  their  general  practice,  the  result  of 
which    was,   that  some    hints  were 
thrown  out  by  the  strange  Bj^^aimaux, 
that  it  might  be  as  well   to  return. 
However,  as  the  Missionaries  saw  no 
reason  whatever  for  it,  and  only  sus-  j 
pected  that  the  Esquimaux  wished  t^ 
enjoy  the  company  of  their  friends  P ! 
little  longer,  they  proceeded.     After' 
some  time,  their  own  Esquimaux  hint- j 

ed  that  there  was  a  ffround-swell  un- 1 

..1 

der  the  ice.     It  wag  then  hardly  per- 1 
ceptible,  except  on  lying  down  and 
applying  the  ear  close  to  the  ice,  wheii 
a   hollow   disagreeably  grating  and! 
roaring  noise  was  heard,  as  if  ascend- 
ing from  the  abyss.   The  weather  re- 1 
mained  clear,  except  towards  the  East, 


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12 

iuterspersed  -ith  some  dark  streaks, 
f  ut  the  wind  being  strong  from  the 
Horth-west,  nothing  less  than  a  sud- 
den change  of  weather  was  expected. 
The   sun    bad   now  reached   its 
height,  and  there  was  as  yet  little  or 
no  alteration  in  the  appearance  of  the 
sky.     But  the  motion  of  the  sea  un- 
der  the  ice  had  grown  more  percepti- 
ble,  so  as  rather  to  alarm  the  travel- 
?ers,  andihey  began  to  think  it  pru- 
^ent  to  keep  closer  to  the  shore.   The 
Ice  had  cracks  and  large  fissures  in 
many  places,  some  of  which  formed 
diasmsof  one  or  two  feet  wide,-  but  as 
they  are  not  uncommon  even  in  its  best 
state,  and  the  dogs  easily  leap  over 
them,  the  sledge  following  without 
danger,  they  are  only  terrible  to  new- 
icomers. 

I     As  soon  as  the  sun  declined  to- 
wards  the  west,  the  wind  increased 


i. 


18 
and  rose  to  a  storm,  the  bank  of  clouds 
from  the  East  hegan  to  ascend  and 
the  dark  streaks  to  put  themselves  in 
motion  against  the  wind.     Th.  snow 
was  violently  driven  about  by  partial 
whirlwinds  both  on  the  ice  and  from 
off  the  peaks  of  the  high  mountains 
and  filled  the  air.     At  the  same  time 
the   ground-swell  had   increased   so 
much,  that  its  effect  upon  the  ice  be- 
came very  extraordinary  and  alarm- 
ing.    The  sledges,  instead  of  gliding 
along  smoothly  upon  an  even  surface, 
sometimes  ran  with  violence  after  the 
dogs,  and  shortly  after,  seemed  with 
difficulty  to  ascend  the  rising  hill,  for 
the  elasticity  of  so  vast  a  body  of  ice, 
of  many  leagues  square,  supported  by 
a  troubled  sea,  though  in  some  places 
three    or  four  yards   in    thickness, 
would,  in  some  degree,  occasion  an 

nndulatory  motion,  not  unlike  that  of 

2 


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a  sheet  of  paper  accommodating  itself 
to  the  surface  of  a  rippling  stream. 
Noises  were  now  likewise  distinctly 
heard  in  many  directions,  like  the  re- 
port  of  cannon,  owing  to  the  bursting 
of  the  ice  at  some  distance. 

The  Esquimaux  therefore  drove 
with  all  haste  toward  the  shore,  in- 
tending  to  take  up  their  night-quar- 
ters on  the  south  side  of  the  Uivak. 
But  as  it  plainly  appeared  that  the  ice 
would  break  and  disperse  in  the  open 
sea,  Mark  advised  to  push  forward 
to  the  North  of  Uivak,  from  whence 
he  hoped  the  track  to  Okkak  might 
still  remain  entire.  To  this  proposal 
the  company  agreed,  but  when  tlie 
sledges  approached  the  coast,  the  pros- 
pect before  them  was  truly  terrific- 
The  ice  having  broken  loose  from  the 
rocks,  was  forced  up  and  down,  grind- 
ing and   breaking  into  a  thousand 


> 


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i. 


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15 

pieces  against  the,  precipices  with  a 
.  tremendous  noise,  which,  added  to  the 
raging  of  the  wind  and  the  snow  driv- 
ing about  in  tlie  air,   deprived   the 
travellers  almost  of  the  poM'er  of  hear- 
ing and  seeing  any  thing  distinctly. 
To  make  the  land,  at  any  risk,  was 
now  the  only  hope  left,  but  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  the^  frightened 
dogs  could  be  forced  forward,  the 
whole  body  of  ice  sinking  frequently 
below  the  surface  of  the  rocks,  then 
rising  above  it.  As  the  only  moment  to 
land.was  that,  when  it  gained  the  level 
of  the  coast,  the  attempt  was  extremely 
nice  and  hazardous.     However,  by 
God's  mercy,  it  succeeded;  both  sled- 
ges gained  the  shore,  and  were  drawn 
up  the  beach  with  much  difficulty. 

The  travellers  had  hardly  time  to 
reflect  with  gratitude  to  God  on  their 


is. 

It: 


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16 

whicli  they  had  just  now  made  good 
their  landings  burst  asunder,  and  the 
water  forcing  itself  from  below<^  cover- 
ed  and  precipitated  it  into  the  sea.  In 
an  instant,  as  if  by  a  signal  given,  the 
whole  mass  of  ice  er^tendiog  for  seve- 
ral miles  from  the  coast,  and  as  far  as 
ther  eye  could  reach,  began  to  burst 
and  to  be  overwhelmed  by  the  im- 
mense waves.  The  sisht  was  tremen- 
dous  and  awfully  grand,  the  large 
fields  of  ice  raising  themselves  out  of 
the  water,  striking  against  each  other 
and  plunging  into  the  deep,  with  a 
violence  not  to  be  described,  and  a 
noise  like  the  discharge  of  innumerable 
batteries  of  heavy  guns.  The  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  the  roaring  of  the 
wind  and  sea,  and  the  dashing  of  the 
waves  and  ice  against  the  rocks  filled 
the  travellers  with  sensations  c^  dwe 
and  horror^  so  as  almost  to  deprive 


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17 

them  of  the  power  of  utterance.  They 
stood  overwhelmed  with  astonishment 
at  their  miraculous  escape,  and  even 
the    heathen  Esquimaux    expressed 
gratitude  to  God  for  their  deliverance. 
The  Esquimaux   now    began    to 
build  a  sno>v-house  about  thirty  paces 
from  the  beach;  but  before  they  had 
finished  their  work,  the  waves  reached 
the  place  where  the  sledges  were  se- 
cured,  and  they  were  with  difficulty 
saved  from  being  washed  into  the  sea. 
,     About    nine  o'clock  all  of  them 
crept  into  the  snow-house,   thanking 
God  for  this  place  of  refuge;  for  the 
wind  was  piercingly  cold  and  so  vio- 
lent, that  it  required  great  strength  to 
be  able  to  stand  against  it. 

Before  they  entered  this  habita- 
lion,  they  could  not  help  once  more 
turning  to  the  sea,  which  was  now 
ftee  from  ice,  and  beheld  with  horror. 


■fii 


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18 

mingled  with  gratitude  for  their  safe- 
ty, the  enormous  waves,  driving  furi- 
ously before  the  wind,  like  huge  cas- 
tles,   and    approaching    the    shore 
where,  with  dreadful  noise,  they  dash- 
ed  against  the  rocks,  foaming,  and  fill- 
ing the  air  with  the  spray.     The 
whole  company  now  got  their  supper, 
and  having  sung  an  evening  hymn  in 
the  Esquimaux  language,  lay  down 
to  rest  abo^t  ten  o'clock.     They  lay 
so  close,  that  if  any  one  stirred,  his 
neighbours  were  roused  by  it.     The 
Esquimaux  were  soon  fast  asleep,  but 
Brother  Liebisch  could  not  get  any 
rest,  partly  on  account  of  the  dread, 
ful  roaring  of  the  wind  and  sea,  and 
partly,  owing  to  a  sore  throat,  which 
ga,ve  him  great  pain.     Both  Mission- 
aries were  also  much  engaged  in  their 
minds  in  contemplating  the  dangerous 
situation  into  which  they  had  been 


^ 


< 


i 


I 


k 


t  U 


"*'*^~^Kirr!Z«j 


.  r 


■»»»{»-— '»-—!».-. 


/ 


{ 


'i 


-Vi 


19 

brought,  and  amidst  all  thankfulness 
for  their  great  deliverance  from  im- 
mediate  death,  could  not  but  cry  unto 
the  Lord  for  his  help  in  this  time  of 
need. 

The  wakefulness  of  the  Mission- 
aries  proved  the  deliverance   of  the 
whole  party  from  sudden  destruction. 
About  two  o^cloek  in   the  morning, 
Brother  Liebisch  perceived  some  salt 
water  to  drop  from  the  roof  of  the 
snow-house  upon  his  lips.     Though 
rather  alarmed  on  tasting  the  salt, 
wbich  could  not  proceed  from  a  com- 
mon spray,   he  kept   quiet,   till   the 
same  dropping  being  more  frequent- 
ly repeated,  just  as  he  was  about  to 
give  the  alarm,  on  a  sudden  a  tremen-^ 
ous  surf  broke  close  to  the  house,  dis- 
charging  a  quantity  of  water  into  if; 
a  second  soon  followed  and  carried 


away  the  slab  of  snow^  r{inri^A 


tf-l 


-X 


li 


20 
iloor  before  the  entrance.     The  Mis- 
sionaries immediately  called  aloud  to 
the  sleeping  Esquimaux,  to  rise  and 
quit  the  place.  They  jumped  up  in  an 
instant,  one  of  them  with  a  large  knife 
cut  a  passage  through  the  side  of  the 
house,  and  each  siezing  some  part  of 
^i     the  baggage,  it  was  thrown  out  upon 
a  higher  part  of  the  beach,  Brother 
Turner    assisting    the    Esquimaux. 
Brother  Liebisch  and  the  woman  and 
child  fled  to  a  neighbouring  eminence. 
The  latter  were  wrapt  up  by  the  Es- 
quimaux ill  a  large  skin,  and  the  for- 
mer  took  shelj|Aehind  a  rock,  for  it 
was  impossible'to  stand   against  the 
M'ind,  snow,  and  sleet.   Scarcely  had 
the  company  retreated  to  the  eminence, 
when  an  enormous  wave  carried  away 
the  whole  house;  but  nothing  of  con- 
sequence was  lost. 

They  now  found  themselves  a  se- 


i   i 


L 


k 


(il 


I 


< 


.i 


t 


X 


^ 


21 

conil  time  delivered  from  the  most  im- 
minent dangerof  death,  but  the  remain- 
ing part  of  the  night,  before  the  Es- 
quimaux  could  seek  and  find  another 
more  safe  place  for  a  snow-house, 
were  hours  of  great  trial  to  mind  and 
body,  and  filled  every  one  with  pain? 
ful  reflections.  Before  the  day  dawn- 
ed, the  Esquimaux  cut  a  hole  into  a 
large  drift  of  snow,  to  screen  the  wo- 
inan  and  child,  and  the  two  mission^ 
aries.  Brother  Liebisch  however  could 
not  bear  the  closeness  of  the  air,  and 
was  obliged  to  sit  dowp  at  the  entrance, 
where  the  Esquimaux  covered  him 
with  skins,  to  keep  him  warm,  as  the 
pain  in  his  throat  was  very  great. 

As  soon  as  it  was  light,  they  built 
another  snow-house,  and  miserable  as 
such  an  accommodation  is  at  all  times, 
they  were  glad  and  thankful  to  creep 


i-_j. 


iiiio  it.  XI  was  about  eignt  ieet  square 


it! 


t 


^2 
and  six  or  seven  feet  high.     They 
now  congratulated  each  other  on  their 
deliverance,  but  found  themselves  in 
very  bad  plight. 

The  Missionaries   had  taken  but 
*  a  small  stock  of  provisions  with  them, 
merely  sufficient  for  the  short  journey 
to  Okkak.    Joel,  his  wife  and  child, 
and  Kassigiak  the  sorcerer,  had  noth- 
ing  at  all.  They  were  therefore  oblig- 
ed  to  divide  the  small  stock  into  dai- 
ly portions,   especially  as  there  ap- 
peared  no  hopes  of  soon  quitting  this 
place  and   reaching  any   dwellings. 
Only  two  ways  were  left  for  this  pur- 
pose, either  to  attempt  the  land-pas- 
sage  across  the  wild  and  unfrequented 
mountain  Kiglapeit,  or  *     wait  for  a 
new  ice  track,  over  the  set    which  it 
might  require  much  time  to  form.  They 
therefore  resolved   to  serve  out  no 


innt»A    iVt 


/ 


y     i 


X 


^-^    vi*«ii  M.  Miotuii,  aiiu  a  [mil  per 


il 


y 

ir 
n 

i 


> 


i. 


;33 
man  per  day.     But  as  this  would  not 
by  any  means  satisfy  an  Esquimaux's 
stomach,  the  Missionaries  offered  to 
give  one  of  their  dogs  to  be  killed  for 
them,  on  condition,  that  in  case  dis- 
tress  obliged  them  io  resort  again  to 
that  expedient,   the  next  dog  killed 
should   be  one  of  the  Esquimanx's 
team.  They  replied,  that  they  should 
be  glad  of  it,  if  they  had  a  kettle  to 
boil  flie  flesh  in,  but  as  that  was  not 
the  case,  they  must  even  suffer  hun- 
ger, for  they  could  not,  eVen  now,  eat 
dogs'  flesh  in  its  raw  state.  The  Mis- 
sionaries now  remained  in  the  snow- 
house,  and  every  day  endeavoured  to 
boil  so  much  water  over  their  lamp, 
as  might  serve  them  for  two  dishes  of 
eoffee  a-pieee.  Through  mercy,  they 
were  preserved  in  good  health,  and 
Brother  Liebisch  quite  unexpectedly 
reGovered  on  the  first  day  of  his  sore» 


■%-'-w*  ^  9' 


:■,  ] 


W 


f 


'tj; 


!»l 


t)   ! 
.  1  ! 


24 

throat.  The  Esquimaux  also  kept  up 

their  spirits,  aud  even  the  rough  hea- 

then  Kassigiak  declared,  that  it  was 

im- 
proper to  be  thankful,  that  they  were 

still  alive,  adding,  that  if  they  had  re- 
mained a  very  little  longer  upon  the  ice 
yesterday,  all  their  bones  would  have 
been  broken  to  pieces  in  a  short  time. 
He  had,  however,  his  heels  frozen^ 
and  suffered  considerable  pain.  In  the 
evening,  the  Missionaries  sung  an 
hymn  with  the  Esquimaux,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  it  t.  if  f  morning  and  even- 
ing. TheLora  was  present  with  them 
and  comforted  their  hearts  by  his  pi  tee. 
Towards  noon  of  the  thirteenth, 
ihe  weather  cleared  up  and  the  sea 
was  seen,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach> 
quite  freed  from  ice.  Mark  and  Joel 
went  up  the  hills  to  reconnoitre,  and 
returned  with  the  disagreeable  news;^ 
that  not  a  morsel  of  ice  was  to  be  seen, 
even  from  thence,  in  any  direction,  and 


> 


% 


>  I  < 

4 


)  k  < 


25 
that  it  had  even  been  forced  away  froia 
the  coast  at  Nnasornak.  They  were 
therefore  of  opinion,  that  we  could  do 
nothing  but  force  our%  ay  across  the 
mountain  Kiglapeit. 

1 0-day  Kassigiak  complained 
much  of  hunger,  probably  to  obtain 
frohi  the  Mij»sionaries  a  larger  "orlion 
than  the  common  allowance.  They 
represented  to  him,  that  they  had  no 
more  themselves,  and  reproved  him  for 
his  impatience.  Whenever  the  victuals 

were  distributed,  he  always  swallowed 
his  portion  very  greedily,  and  put  out 
his  hand  for  what  he  saw  the  Missiona- 
ries had  left,  but  was  easily  kept  from 
any  further  attempt  by  serious  reproof. 
The  Esquimaux  eat  t^' day  an  old 
sack  made  of  fisli-skiri,  which  proved 
indeed  a-  dry  and  miserable ,  dish. 
While  they  were  at  this  singular  meal, 
im  kept  repeating,  i„  a  low  hum- 


•*,.«--a^-'%i/ 


irilMii  I        -  ~ 


P 


f 


u 


u  i 


s: 

tl 


iij 


Mi,  f 

1 


\4 


i 

c 

! 

1 

1     '   i 

1 

1  i 

26 

ming  tone,  ^^  You  were  a  sack  but  a 
little  while  ago^  and  now  you  are  food 
for  us/^  T^^^^S^  evening  some  flakes 
of  ice  were  discovered  driving  towards 
the  coast,  and  on  the  fourteentii,  in  the 
morning,  the  sea  was  covered  with 
them.  But  the  weather  was  again 
very  strong,  and  the  Esquimaux  could 
not  quit  the  snow-house,  which  njade 
the^n  very  low  spirited  and  melancho- 
ly, Kassigiak  suggested,  that  it  would 
be  well  ''  to  attempt  to  make  good 
weather,''  by  which  he  meant,  to 
practise  his  art  as  a  sorcerer,  to  make 
the  weather  goods.  The  Missionaries 
opposed  it  and  told  him,  that  his 
heathenish  practices  were  of  no  use, 
but  that  the  Wfeatlier  would  become  fa- 
vourable a  soon  as  it  should  please 
God.  Kassigiak  then  a?ke J* ^whether 
Jesus  (xm\d  make  ffood,  weather.''  He 
was  told,  that  to  Jesu¥  was  given  all 


>l   c 


>1  i 


►3. 


>  1 1 


>ii 


i 

i 


power  in  heaven  and  earth,  upon 
which  he  demanded,  that  he  should 
be  applied  to.  Another  time  he  said, 
^^  I  shall  tell  my  countrymen  at  Seg- 
lek  enough  about  you,  how  well  you 
bear  this  misfortune  The  Mission- 
aries replied,  <^  Tell  them  that  in  the 
midst  of  this  affliction,  we  placed  our 
only  hope  and  trust  in  Jesus  Christ 
our  Saviour,  who  loves  all  mankind, 
and  has  shed  bis  blood  to  redeem 
them  from  eterna,l  misery,'^ 

To-day,  the  Esquimaux  began  to 
eat  an  old,  filthy  and  worn-out  skin, 
which  had  served  them  for  a  mat- 
trass. 

On  the  fifteenth  the  \  rather  con- 
tinned  extremely  boisterous,  and  the 
Esquimaux  appeared  every  now  and 
then  to  sink  under  disappointment. 
But  they  possess  one  good  quality, 
namely,  a  power  of  going  to  sleep 


*N»««-g|fc,-'->5i^. 


"5»* 


"^ 


N 


t 


28 

when  they  please,  and,  if  need  be, 
they  will  sleep  for  days  and  nights 
together.  ^ 

In   the   evening,    the  sky  became 
clear,  and  their  hopes  revived.    Mark 
and  Joel  went  out  to  reconnoitre,  and 
brought  word,  that  the  ice  had  acquir- 
ed  a  considerable  degree  of  solidity, 
and  might  soon  be  fit  for  use.     The 
poor  dogs  had  meanwhile  fasted  for 
near  four  days,  but  now,  in  the  pros- 
pect  of  a  speedy  release,  the  Mission- 
aries  allowed  to  each  a  few  morsels  of 
food.  The  temperature  of  the  air  hav- 
ing  been  rather  mild,  it  occasioned  a 
new  source  of  distress,  for  by  the  warm 
exhalations  of  the  inhabitants,  the  roof 
Qf  the  snow- house  got  to  be  in  a  melt- 
ing state;  which  occasioned  a  continu- 
al dropping,  and    by  degrees  made 
every  thing  soaking  wet     The  Mis- 
sionaries report,  that  they  considered 


>     ^ 


$■«' 


\ 


L-# 


{ 


29 

this  the  greatest  hardship  they  had  to 
endure,  for  they  had  not  a  dry  thread 
about  (hem,  nor  a  dry  place  to  lie 
down  in. 

On  the  l6th,  early,  the  sky  cleared, 
but  the  fine  particles  of  snow  were 
driven  about  like  clouds,  Joel  and 
Kassigiak  resolved  to  pursue  tlieir 
journey  to  Okkak,  by  the  way  of  Nu- 
asornak,  and  set  out,  with  the  wind 
and  snow  full  in  their  faces.  Mark 
could  not  resolve  to  proceed  farther 
north,  because,  in  his  opinion,  the  vio- 
lence of  the  wind  had  driven  the  ice 
oflF  the  coast  at  Tikerarsuk,  so  as  to 
render  it  impossible  to  land:  but  he 
thought  he  might  proceed  to  the  south 
with  safety,  and  get  round  Kiglapeit. 
The  Missionaries  endeavoured  to  per- 
suade him  to  follow  the  above-men- 
tioned company  to  Okkak,  but  it  was 

in  vain:  and  thev  did  not  feel  at  libertv 

3*    ^  *" 


*-^ -**%!;-'>--«■ 


30 

to  insist  upon  it,  not  being  suflBciently 

acquainted    with   the   circumstances. 

Their  present  distress  dictated  the  ne- 

cessity  of  venturing  something  to  reach 

the  habitations  of  men,  and  yet  they 

were  rather  afraid  of  passing  over  the 

newly  frozen  sea  under  Kiglapeit,  and 

could  not  immediately  determine  what 

to  ^.0.  Brother  Turner  therefore  went 

again  with  Mark  to  examine  the  ice, 

aiid  both  seemed  satisfied  that  it  would 

hold.     They  therefore  came  at  last  to 

a  resolution  to  return  to  Naid,  and 

commit  themselves  to  the  protection  of 

the  Lord. 

On  the  17th,  the  wind  had  consider- 
ably encreased,  with  heavy  showers 
of  snow  and  sleet/but  they  set  oif  at 
half  p&st  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 
Mark  ran  all  the  way  round  Kigla- 
peit,  before  the  sledge,  to  find  a  good 
track,  and  about  one  o'clock,  throiikh 


>l  < 


** 


A< 


>  < 


>  '< 


i 


31 

Grod^s  mercy,  they  were  out  of  danger 
aud  reached  the  bay.  Here  they  found 
a  good  track  upon  smooth  ice,  made  a 
meal  of  the  remnant  of  their  provi- 
sions, and  got  some  warm  coffee.  Thus 
refreshed,  they  resolved  to  proceed, 
without  stoppijg,  till  they  reached 
Nain,  where  they  arrived  at  twelve 
o'clock  at  night.  The  brethren  at 
Naiii  rejoiced  exceedingly  to  see  them 
return,  for  by  several  hints  of  the  Els- 
quimaux,  who  first  met  them  going 
out  to  sea,  and  wlio  then,  in  their  own 
obscure  way,  had  endeavoured  to 
warn  them  of  the  danger  of  the  ground- 
swell,  but  had  not  been  attended  tO; 
their  fellow-missionaries,  and  espe- 
cially their  wives  had  been  much  ter- 
rified. One  of  these  Esquimaux,  whose 
wife  had  made  some  article  of  dress 
for  Brother  Liebisch,  whom  they  cali- 


co 


r1    ffi 


a  wi 


"^ '^'«<     rs^*w*jiA  V*  v» 


i-ickl      atf1rlt»AcaAH    liia    vi/ 1  r  A    irk    fit  A 


ill ' 

'I' I 


■-■I 

M 


32 


I      ; 


foMowing^manner:—"  I  should  be  glad 
of  the  payment  for  my  wife's  work.'* 
*<  Wait  a  little,"  answered  Sister  Lie- 
biseh,  «  and  when  my  husband  re- 
"  turns,  he  will  settle  with  you,  for  1 
"  am  unacquainted  with  the  bargain 
''  made  between  you."  «  Samuel  and 
"  William,"  replied  the  Esquimaux, 
"  will  not  return  any  more  to  Nain." 
"  How,  not  return!  What  makes  you 
"  say  so!"     After   some  pause,  the 
Esquimaux  replied  in  a   low   tone, 
"  Samuel  and  William  are  no  more! 
"all  their  bones  are  broken,  and  in 
"  the  stomachs  of  the  sharks."    Ter- 
rified at  this  alarming  account,  Sister 
Liebisch  called  in  the  rest  of  the  fami- 
ly,  and  the  Esquimaux  was  examined 
as  to  his  meaning;  but  his  answers 
were  little  less  obscure.     He  seemed 
so  certain  of  the  destruction  of  the 
Missionaries,  that  he  was  xvUh  Aim 


V 


^ 

1 


fHfe 


> 


K 


:,is;iii. 


^  ^ 


V 


* 


\ 


K 


33 

Gulty  prevailed  on  to  wait  some  firae 
for  their  return.  He  could  not  believe 
that  they  could  have  escaped  the  ef- 
fects  of  so  furious  a  tempest,  consider- 
ing the  course  they  were  taking. 

It  may  easily  be  conceived,  wftfi 
what  gratitude  to  God  the  whole  fami- 
ly  at  Nain  bid  them  welcome.  During 
^  the  stornu  they  had  considered  with 
some  dread,  what  might  be  the  fate  of 
their  Brethren,  though  at  Nain  its  vi- 
olence  was  not  felt  as  much  as  on  a 
coast,  unprotected  by  any  islands. 
Added  to  this,  the  hints  of  the  Esqui- 
maux  had  considerably  increased 
their  apprehensions  for  their  safety, 
*and  their  fears  began  to  get  the  better 
of  their  hopes.  All  therefore  joined 
most  fervently  in  praise  and  thanks- 
giving  to  God,  for  this  signal  delive**- 
ance. 


U^^,^       Ai..^.- 


1       J 


JL  Have  inas  lepe^icu  lu  ^uu^  as  Uf- 


% 


•Id 


i 


!l 


N 


34 
cumstantially  as  my  memory  and  the 
few   documents   I   possessed   would 
permit,  the  story  of  the  escape  of  these 
two  valuable  men:  and  hope  I  have 
omitted    no    material    circumstance. 
1  he  only  thing  in  which  I  am  uncer. 
^m,  relates  to  the  person  to  whom  the 
Esquimaux  addressed  himself  in  the 
last  conversation,   whether  to  Sister 
Turner,  or  Sister  Liebisch;  but  that 
will  appear  of  little  moment.     1  quo. 
ted  it  from  Brother  Liebisrh's  narra- 
tive, to  give  a  specimeft  of  the  Esqui- 
maux  manners,     they  do  not  like  to 
speak  out  upon  cMsagreeable  subjects, 
nor  ever  fairly  contradict  the  person 
they  are  addressing;  and,  in  general,  i 
are  very  reserved. 


y 


THE  END. 


■jii'ytiiiM. 


^A   I    V 


■J  ■ 


y 


»J 


I 


